Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Beach family pictures

While we were at the beach, my grandparents hired a photographer to take some pictures of our family.  Here are some of the pictures that he took.  The ones that are all bright  and full of pretty colors are the ones that my sister did some of her Photoshop magic with. :) DSC_6228 copy - CopyMy wonderful family.DSC_6199 I just LOVE this picture. DSC_6235 copy - CopyMy sweet children.DSC_6245 copyMy wild little boy. DSC_6253  My little diva. :)DSC_6511 copy Our family…what a legacy my grandparents have.  DSC_6548Gavin trying to steal the show.DSC_6574 My grandparents…the start of all of this. My g

DSC_6590My “original” family.  DSC_6598  My parent’s growing legacy.DSC_6604  The grandkids acting crazy (as always).DSC_6654My siblings and I.DSC_6099

My sisters and I – I love how this turned out.

Destin Family Vacation

One would think that with Mikayla at school and Gavin being much happier to entertain himself than Mikayla ever was at this age, that I would have so much more free time to do things that I enjoy (i.e. blog).  This is not the case though.  Things are starting to settle down though and we are figuring out our routine, so I should [hopefully] have a little more time to do some fun things. 

The week before school started we went to Destin with a very large number of my extended family.  My grandparents rented a house that would fit my mom and my uncles entire families.  We had a great time together that was filled with many wonderful memories.   We also have TONS of pictures from this week.  I am glad to have so may memories documented.  We spent a lot of time at the beach and at the pool that was at our house.  The kids had a fabulous time together ( and so did the adults!).   As our families grow and we spread out across the nation is becoming increasingly difficult for us  to all get together.  I was so grateful for this opportunity for us to spend time with one another.  A big thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for this opportunity – without them, it would have never been possible!

IMG_0363 Gavin had a great time playing in the ocean.  It took him a little bit to get used to the salt water though…the goggles helped him through that. IMG_0366 IMG_0368 My two favorite boys – a precious little boy and one hot hubby! :)

IMG_0370 IMG_0373 IMG_0374 We (er…Jeremy, the kite expert) had fun flying some kites with the kids.  Mikayla had an Ariel kite and Gavin had a Buzz Lightyear kite.  The had a lot of fun with this activity.IMG_0379 IMG_0384 IMG_0386 IMG_0393 The kids had a great time in the pool, too.  It was a salt water pool, which I just fell in love with.  It was so much kinder to your eyes and skin.  If for some reason, I ever have a pool, I will definitely will try this one out. IMG_0396 Mikayla tried her hand at some boogie boarding – it proved to be a little harder than she thought.IMG_0399

IMG_0405   IMG_0412 IMG_0415 They had a lot of fun playing in the sand, too.  No big sand castles were built this year, though.  They were more interested in playing in the water.IMG_0473 My cousin’s husband found this hermit crab (plus other wildlife prizes) out at the sand bar.  The kids loved watching him move around in the bucket before he was taken back to the sandbar to swim free. IMG_0416  IMG_0430 IMG_0431 IMG_0433 IMG_0437 IMG_0439 IMG_0440 IMG_0443

These are just more random pictures of my sweet children.  They had a great time and definitely love the beach. 

IMG_0421  My mom found this great volleyball net that the guys set up in the pool.  They loved it and had may very serious tournaments out there after the kids went to bed.

I could not have asked for a better vacation.  It was the perfect combination of quality family time, relaxing and memory making. 

Monday, August 09, 2010

First Day of Kindergarten!

Today, Mikayla went to her first day of Kindergarten.  When I woke her up at 6:45am (Ugh!), she said, “I get to go to school today!”

We started off the day with a yummy breakfast of blueberry muffins.IMG_0480 We took the traditional first day of school pictures.  I just love the pure excitement on her face. IMG_0481 IMG_0483 Since we were out of town and missed the Open House, Jeremy and I decided that for her first day, we would drive her to school and walk her in.  This is a picture of her outside of her school.IMG_0484 We were the first ones to her classroom and we met her teacher, Mrs. Brown.  She seems so nice and I am sure that Mikayla will really enjoy her. After Mikayla found her seat,  she sat right down and started doing her work.  She looks right at home doesn’t she?IMG_0486

The teacher was kind enough to offer and take a picture of Mikayla with us. IMG_0487 After she was settled in, she looked up at me and said, “It’s okay for you to go now.”  She wasn’t trying to shoo us out, but she was just letting me know that she was okay.  Her ability to adapt to new situations makes this new transition a lot easier on me.  I teared up a little bit when we were waiting outside school and then again when we were driving away.

I kept busy this morning by going to the gym, Walmart, the grocery store and the vet.   Gavin has occasionally asked, “Where is See-kah?”, but all in all, he has done okay.  I have done okay, too.  I miss her , but I have also enjoyed my one on one time with my little boy.  Now, I am just anxiously awaiting for the school bus to drop her off so I can hear about her day!

Sunday, August 08, 2010

Big Day Tomorrow

Her bookbag is packed….IMG_0478

her lunch is all ready to go….IMG_0479

her breakfast of choice is ready to be made…IMG_0476 and the table is set in anticipation of Mikayla starting Kindergarten tomorrow.IMG_0477 

We read this story together tonight.

Kissing Hand If you are the parent of a child that will be starting preschool or Kindergarten, you must read this book with them.  It helps them to understand that mommy will always “be” with them no matter what.  Have some tissues on hand though (especially if you are an easy crier like me)…we both shed a couple tears at the end of the book.   

Mikayla is definitely filled with nervous excitement this evening…in fact, so is her mother.  I am so excited for her, but I am also so sad that she is already old enough to be going out on this new adventure. 

I can’t wait to hear about her day after she jumps off of the bus tomorrow. :)

Sunday, August 01, 2010

Family Beach Vacation Day 1

So we are in sunny Destin, Florida for a week of family fun!  Last year, when we celebrated my grandparent’s 60th wedding anniversary, we decided a family reunion was needed.  When we were younger we used to all get together for beach vacations every year or two.  However, as husbands and children were added into the mix, it has become increasingly difficult to do this.  The last vacation was 9 years ago when Jeremy and I were married.

Yesterday, we arrived to our beautiful beach house that will sleep the 21 adults and 9 children that will all be here by the end of the week.  After being in the car for about 7 hours with my two children, we decided to have a late dinner and head down to the beach.  The water was a little choppy and had a decent amount of seaweed in it, but we nor the kids minded.  It was a relaxing way to spend the evening.  The kids had a blast playing in the sand and Jeremy and I had a nice time sitting next to each other at the edge of the surf.   Here are some pictures of their first time at the beach this summer.

 IMG_0342 IMG_0343 IMG_0344  IMG_0346  IMG_0348 IMG_0349 IMG_0350 IMG_0351 IMG_0352  IMG_0354 IMG_0355 IMG_0357  IMG_0359 IMG_0360 IMG_0361